Method, device system and computer program system for carrying out maintenance on a printing or copying system

ABSTRACT

In a system and method for maintenance of a printing or copying system, at least two system computers are provided comprising a central device control computer and a raster process computer. A print data network connection is provided for incoming print data or copy data to be rastered. A print data network connection is provided for incoming print data or copy data to be rastered. At least one of the system computers is designed as a service connection computer. A maintenance computer is connected to a maintenance data connection on the service connection computer. Control programs are loaded from the maintenance computer onto the service connection computer via a network connection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a method, a device system and a computer programsystem for the maintenance of a printing or copying system.

In particular, of interest are those printing or copying systems thatcomprise at least two system computers, namely a central device controlcomputer that activates a plurality of aggregates and a raster processorcomputer, connected with the device control computer, that comprises aprint data network connection for incoming print or copy data to beraster scanned.

Such a printing or copying system is, for example, specified in WO98/49606 A1. A raster processor for such an electrophotographic printeris, for example, known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,434.

The individual computers of such device systems comprising a pluralityof system computers do not always comprise input and output devices suchas keyboards, display screens, etc. For maintenance of such systems, itis therefore as a rule necessary to dock to the system or to anindividual system computer with a maintenance computer speciallyarranged for it. However, the problem thereby sometimes exists that thecomputer to undergo maintenance already exhibits a fault in its basicfunctions, and thus the accessibility to the system is hampered orentirely impossible. In computer systems whose operating system filesare stored on a hard drive, the problem sometimes occurs that the harddrive is defective, and thus not even the fundamental operating systemfunctions are available. In this situation, the computer today must forthe most part be newly booted via a system diskette or a system CD-ROM,i.e. must be loaded with the operating system data.

In the publication “Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) Specification”by the Intel Corporation, Vers. 2.1 (Sep. 20, 1999), typical systemstructures and events are specified in connection with the booting of acomputer.

The document with the title “THE TFTP PROTOCOL (REVISION 2) compiled bythe Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the Network Working Group,and edited by K. Sollins in July 1992. It bears the document numbersRequest for Comments (RFC) Nr. 1350, as well as the identifiers STD 33,Obsoletes RFC 783. Technical details of the TFT [sic] protocolestablished in Internet systems are specified in this document.

The document with the title “Clarifications and Extensions for theBootstrap Protocol”, compiled by Carnegie Mellon University for theNetwork Working Group and edited by M. Wimer in October 1993. It bearsthe document numbers Request For Comment (RFC) Nr. 1542 as well as theidentifiers Updates 951 and Obsoletes 1532. Technical details of thebootstrap protocol established in Internet systems are specified in thisdocument.

The publications cited above, as well as other publicly availablespecifications cited in the following specification, such as thedocuments RFC Nr. 1918 and RFC Nr. 1597, are hereby included in thepresent specification by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to ease service applications onprinting or copying systems with a plurality of system computers, ofwhich at least one is no longer capable of booting independently.

According to the method and system for maintenance of a printing orcopying system, at least two system computers are provided comprising acentral device control computer that activates a plurality of aggregatesin a raster process computer connected with the device control computer.A print data network connection is provided for incoming print data orcopy data to be rastered. At least one of the system computers isdesigned as a service connection computer that comprises a maintenancedata connection. A maintenance computer is connected to the maintenancedata connection. A network connection is established between the serviceconnection computer and the maintenance computer. Control programs areloaded from the maintenance computer onto the service connectioncomputer via the network connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows various system computers of a printing system;

FIG. 2 shows details of a raster process computer in a printing device;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sequence diagram for a service application;

FIG. 4 illustrates a main menu for a printer service program;

FIG. 5 shows a submenu for a printer service program;

FIG. 6 illustrates a display window for installation data; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a display window for tracing boot events.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the preferred embodimentillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations andfurther modifications in the illustrated device, and/or method, and suchfurther applications of the principles of the invention as illustratedtherein being contemplated as would normally occur now or in the futureto one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

A printing or copying system that comprises at least two systemcomputers (of which one is designed as a service connection computerwith a maintenance data connection) is connected via the maintenancedata connection with a maintenance computer. First, the maintenancecomputer is thereby connected to the disconnected service connectioncomputer. In the course of the connection procedure, a networkconnection is produced between the service connection computer and themaintenance computer, via which at least a minimal data exchange ispossible, in particular with a basic input/output system. Furthermore,the basic input/output system in particular tests the line as to whetheroperating system data are available at difference interfaces of theconnection computer and, as the case may be, loads these from the firstinterface comprising operation data onto the service connectioncomputer. The sequence of the testing of the interfaces is in particularselected such that the testing of the maintenance data connection occursbefore the testing of a hard drive connection. Because of thispreference of the maintenance data connection with regard to the otherdata connections, in particular to the hard drive connection, it iseffected that erroneous data from the hard drive do not arrive in theworking storage of the service connection computer. Faulty boot events,and with them possible connected time losses in the maintenance event,are thereby prevented.

The testing sequence for the various interfaces (maintenance dataconnection, other network connections, CD-ROM, hard disk drive, SCSIconnection) can in particular be selected with mechanical, electronicand/or program-controlled switches in the service connection computer,whereby two different types of start operations are accomplished. Themechanical rearranging of the testing sequence is thereby particularlyadvantageous, to the effect that the maintenance data connection occursbefore the testing of the hard drive connection. It can be ensured viasuch a mechanical change-over that a computer that cannot be accessedelectronically or via program controls is in any case attended to in asafe manner with operating system data, external to the servicemaintenance computer, and can thereby be booted.

In particular a mobile computer can be used as a maintenance computer.This is above all of advantage when components (such as, for example, ahard drive) are exchanged on site of the printing device, and inconnection with this new control programs must be installed on thisexchanged component in the printing system. It is thereby advantageousthat it is automatically tested with the maintenance computer as towhether a predetermined component is located in a predetermined state.Depending on a test result, either the component (in so far as it isself-installing) and/or control programs for the component (with thehelp of predetermined control programs that can be available in themaintenance computer) can then be installed. In particular, it can beprovided to format, to partition, and/or to strike up new standardoperating system programs onto a hard drive afflicted with faults or anew hard drive, whereby the system computer is newly set up andconfigured. Additionally, further predefined control files and/orconfiguration files specific to the printing device can be installed inthe printing system. All sequences can largely occur automatically, inthat corresponding, predetermined installation control programs orservice control programs (what are known as batch programs and/ormacros) run on the maintenance computer. These programs canalternatively be stored on a hard drive in the service computer or arecontained on a transferable storage such as floppy discs or a CD-ROM. Inthe course of the new installation of data on the printing system, datacan be installed both for the service connection computer and forfurther computers connected within the printing system.

The data connection between the maintenance computer and the serviceconnection computer is in particular formed as a direct, individualpoint-to-point connection in which no further computer is connected tothe connection line, whereby a greater transfer security exists.Definite transmission paths are thereby achieved, and no confusions withother computers connected on the network (for example via double seizureof IP addresses) can occur. However, it is also imaginable to initiatethe connection between the maintenance computer and the serviceconnection computer via a remote data connection and/or to effect theconnection of the service connection computer per remote control by whatis known as a wake-on-LAN function via the remote data connection.

In a printing system comprising a plurality of system computers in whichthe system computers are sequentially connected, in particular the firstsystem computer to be connected is used as a service connectioncomputer.

FIG. 1 shows electronic components of a printing system. A controllerGSC of a device control GS is connected with various electronicaggregate controls AG1, AG2 and AG3, which respectively activate thedifferent aggregates of the printer. The controller GSC is connected viaDB1 with the control panel controller BEC of a control panel computer BEthat is designed as a complete computer with hard drive HD, touch screendisplay and input unit TS, and a microprocessor.

The printing system moreover comprises a raster processor computer SRA(scalable raster architecture) with connected memory SP4 that receivesprint data in a higher print data language such as PCL (printer controllanguage), PostScript or AFP (advanced function presentation), rastersthe print data, and transmits the rastered data to the further systemcontroller of the computer to generate the printout. The rasterprocessor computer SRA receives the print data via an interface 1 thatcan be set up for point-to-point connection, for local networkconnection (LAN), for the System/370 channel connection (S/370)established in approximately the year 1970 by the firm InternationalBusiness Machines Corp. (IBM), for a Small Computer System Interface(SCSI) connection and/or for worldwide network connections, for exampleas an Internet connection.

Furthermore, the raster processor computer SRA comprises a secondinterface 2 with which a second network connection can be formed,likewise as a point-to-point connection, as a local network connection(LAN) and/or as a worldwide network connection, for example as anInternet connection.

A point-to-point connection to a mobile service computer SNB (servicenote book, laptop) is formed on the second (LAN2) network connection 2in the example shown in FIG. 1. A number of control programs are loadedor stored on the service computer SNB:

-   -   The network connection (point-to-point) to the raster processor        computer SRA is established with a first control program 3.    -   In a second control program group 4, diverse automated,        service-specific program sequences (batch programs and/or        macros) are stored, via which various service-relevant events        are largely automated. Counted for this are, for example, the        wiping, formatting and/or partitioning of a hard drive of the        raster process controller SRA or one of the other computers GS        or BE. Transfers of operating system files, of files to control        the raster processes (functional code) and/or of the basic        device controller GSC (aggregate codes) from the service        computer SNB to the service connection computer (which, in the        case shown in FIG. 1, is the raster process computer SRA) can        also be controlled with the programs 4.    -   Operating system data are comprised in the third control program        group 5 that comprise printer-specific parameters, and that are        prepared for this purpose to be loaded on one of the printing        system computers GE, BE, SRA, in particular onto the latter.    -   Printer-specific control programs are comprised in the fourth        control program group 6, for example the functional code for the        raster processor computer cited above and/or aggregate control        program for the device control GS.

Upon connection of the print data, the raster processor SRA is firststarted, then the device control GS, and last the control panel computerBE. A system computer connected beforehand thereby respectively controlsthe activation event of the next system computer, at least via a statusnotification “boot o.k.” at a connection control procedure. Thesequences upon connection of the raster processor computer SRA are latermore closely explained using FIG. 3. Therefore the connection events ofthe device control computer and control panel computer GS, BE are firstspecified in the following:

After the start of the device control computer GS, a software program isloaded into its working storage G-RAM. The software program is normallycopied from a non-volatile storage SP1 of the device control computerGS. This program controls the further sequences of the device control.The storage SP1 can be a non-volatile RAM (what is known as anon-volatile RAM or NV-RAM), an E-EPROM, or also a hard drive storage.

During or after the loading of the working program into the workingstorage G-RAM, the control panel unit BE is activated by the controllerGSC of the device control GS. For this, a control panel software programis loaded into the working storage B-RAM of the control panel unit BE.This in turn activates the touch screen TS. A controller BEC of thecontrol panel unit BE monitors the sequences within the control panelunit BE.

The data transmission between the device control GS and the controlpanel unit BE occurs via a data bus DB 1 to which both controllers GSCand BEC are connected. Further connections DB 2 exist between the devicecontrol GS and the raster processor computer SRA as well as DB 3 betweenthe raster processor computer SRA and the control panel computer. Theconnections DB1, DB2, and DB3 can thereby alternatively be designed aspoint-to-point connections or also as a bus system.

To turn on the print device, the three system computers SRA, GS and BEare turned on in sequence. As a first computer, the raster processcomputer SRA is thereby started, then the device control computer GS,and last the control panel computer BE. Since the raster processcomputer SRA is the first system computer to be started, the wholeprinter is inoperable given a disruption of its start-up event or bootevent. The raster processor computer SRA is therefore used as a serviceconnection computer.

In the course of the start of the device control, in which the workingprogram of the device control GS is loaded into the working storageG-RAM, the control data necessary in order to activate the variousaggregate controls (AG1, AG2, and so forth) are also loaded into theworking storage G-RAM. These control data are taken from the storageSP1. In the course of starting the control panel unit BE, the controldata are then transferred from the working storage G-RAM of the devicecontrol GS to the working storage B-RAM of the control panel unit BE.The control panel unit BE subsequently tests whether these datarespectively lie in an acceptable range of values. For this, it takescomparison values from the storage ST3. The comparison values arethereby limit values of acceptable ranges of values in the respectivecontrol data. If the control panel unit BE now determines that a controldatum originating from the storage SP1 lies outside of a range of valuesacceptable for this datum, the control panel unit BE then generates anerror signal. It is thereupon attempted to replace the data using thedefault value (default) from the storage ST2, and to restore thereplaced data in the working storage G-RAM of the device control GS.

Substantial components of a print device are shown again in FIG. 2.Print data are thereby transmitted from a host system per directpoint-to-point connection or via a network to a channel system interfaceCSI. From there, it is transmitted via a data monitoring unit HPDC to asystem bus that forwards the data to the SRA controller. Within the SRAcontroller, the data are buffered in a primary storage MM and aretransmitted via a monitoring unit ARC to a raster processor HPDG thatbuffers the rastered data in bitmap storage MXM. If required, therastered image data can be rotated by means of buffers A, B in arotation module before they are supplied to an activation unit thatprepares the rastered image data for activation of a light diode combLED. The data are there transduced into light signals with which anelectrophotographic photoconductor layer FL is exposed to generate anintermediate image. This intermediate image is subsequently developedwith toner according to the electrophotographic principle, and thedeveloped image is transmitted in a transfer printing event to arecording medium (for example paper). The SRA controller is connected inthis exemplary embodiment via one and the same system bus with thedevice control GS or with the aggregate controls DMC. However, toincrease the data transfer rate, it can be advantageous to provide afirst system bus for the transmission of the print data and a secondsystem bus separate from this for the device control units (see FIG. 1).

The central control computer PC within the SRA controller comprises afirst network connection LAN 1 that connects it with the system bus. Forthis, it comprises a second network connection LAN2 that is provided forconnection of the maintenance computer. The central control computer PCwithin the raster process computer SRA furthermore comprises a knownbasic input/output system BIOS that, upon connecting the controller,gives the first control commands to the SRA controller in order to bootit. The loading of operating system files (such as, for example, Windows98, Windows NT, Unix or Linux) is then first routed into the workingstorage RAM of the PC via the microprocessor MP. In a standard setup,for this the BIOS first checks as to whether operating system files arepresent on the hard drive HDD. When no such data are present on the harddrive interface of the PC, the interfaces of the disk drive FD and ofthe CD-ROM drive CD are subsequently checked for operating system data.

The interface query sequence of the BIOS can be changed by means of amechanical switch BSM. It is provided for this to throw the switch for aservice application such that first the floppy drive FD, then the CDdrive CD, then the local network connection LAN 2, and finally the harddrive HDD is checked with regard to operating system data. Depending oncomponents to be exchanged, it can also be provided to place the testfor the maintenance data connection LAN 2 further forward in the testsequence, namely before the CD-ROM drive CD and/or before the floppydrive FD or possible further present additional connections such as SCSI(small computer system interface) or IDE (integrated drive electronics)recording disc connections to be provided.

Further details, functions, and effects of the structure shown in FIG. 2are to be learned from U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,434 already cited above, inparticular its FIG. 1 with corresponding specification, whose content ishereby again explicitly included by reference in the presentspecification at this point.

The method sequence is shown in FIG. 3 with which a maintenanceapplication can be implemented on a raster processor computer, in that ahard drive is tested, if necessary newly partitioned and formatted, andcan be provided with new operating system files, and subsequentlyfurther new system files can be installed to control the print device.

A service software is started on a maintenance computer in step S1. Instep S2, the service PC is connected in a point-to-point LAN connectionvia the maintenance connection with the raster process computer SRA. Instep S3, the SRA computer is turned on. During the connection procedure,the BIOS of the SRA computer in step S4 transmits via a broadcastnetwork query information to its maintenance data connection. Thisbroadcast query is recognized by the software started in the maintenancecomputer and in step S5 a network IP address is automatically assignedby a DHCP module (dynamic host configuration protocol) for the SRAcomputer. For example, the IP address 192.168.0.0/subnet mask255.255.255.0 is thereby temporarily assigned to the SRA computer(recommended according to the standards RFC Nr. 1918 or RFC Nr. 1597).The temporary assignment remains during the boot event until theoperating system in the SRA controller specially adapted to the printingdevice is booted and this operating system assigns a new IP address. Thetemporary IP address is thus valid only until the SRA controller isdisconnected or, respectively, shut down, in particular in order to bootthe specially adapted operating system, after which all files necessaryfor this were loaded into the SRA controller. What is known as a TFTPprotocol (trivial file transfer protocol), based on the TCP/IP standard,is implemented afterwards as it is more closely specified in thedocument RFC Nr. 1350 noted above.

Further details of the involved system components and the events foraccepting a connection between both computers SRA and SNB can, forexample, be formed according to the publication noted above, “PrebootExecution Environment (PXE) Specification” by the Intel Corporation,Vers. 2.1 (Sep. 20, 1999 or younger date) and/or according to the TFTPprotocol according to RFC document Nr. 1350 (July 1992 or younger date).These publications are for this reason and at this point againexplicitly included in the present specification.

After successful completion of the TFTP connection acceptance, the SRAcomputer contacts the maintenance computer via the TFTP protocol. TheSRA computer and the maintenance computer are thereby coupled as aclient-server system, whereby the SRA computer takes on the role of theclient and the maintenance computer takes on the role of the server. Themaintenance computer (server) transmits in step S6, according to theTFTP protocol, what is known as a boot loader file that installs avirtual drive (RAM disc) within the SRA computer (step S7). The bootloader file is then started in the SRA computer by its BIOS andgenerates in the SRA controller a 1.44 MB RAM disc (Random Access Memorystorage). In conjunction with this, in the step S8 a first minimalnumber of operating system files are transmitted by the service computerSNB to the SRA computer. Their contents correspond to those of a bootdiskette in which all fundamental operating system commands arecomprised that are necessary for basic operation of the SRA computer(i.e. for a booted state). Said another way, what is known as a bootimage is provided that corresponds to a boot diskette (boot floppy). Theboot files also comprise all drivers for the network connection of thecontroller drives (HDD, FD, CD) via the service PC SNB. Subsequently,the controller PC SRA is automatically newly booted with the boot imageof the RAM drive (step S9). In the client SRA computer, the newly loadedboot image thereby takes on the monitoring. The boot image subsequentlytakes on the following functions or steps (with boot events that arepartially switched in between, optional and/or mandatory):

discarding of the boot image (for each task, a new boot image isrequired)

destroy hard drive structure -> boot partition hard drive -> boot formathard drive (partitions) -> boot load drivers and files in order to allowa network connection. install the new data (operating system, FC, . . .) -> boot notify the server of the end of the last boot event.

-   -   the maintenance computer transfers the data (operating system,        functional code and so forth) onto the hard drive of the client    -   the next boot image installs the new operating system, the        functional code of the SRA computer, and so forth    -   the last boot event loads the new operating system or the        functional code.

As for the corresponding steps in detail: In step S10 it is decidedwhether the hard drive HD of the SRA controller should be newlyformatted. This decision can, for example, be queried in a user dialogor be automatically predetermined by a corresponding batch program fromthe batch program pool 5 started in the service computer SNB. When thequery is answered with “YES” or a corresponding direct program step isprovided in the batch program, the hard drive HDD is first newlypartitioned in step S11 and then newly formatted in step S12. Possibleformattings and files present on the hard drive are thereby deleted.

These steps can already be implemented by files that were comprised inthe boot image and are also loaded onto the RAM disc of the SRAcontroller. In the step S13, the SRA controller is newly booted andlogged onto the network under a new name. Its hard disc partitions arethereby automatically associated with a drive of the service PC SNB.

In the step S14, subsequently all operating system files of the servicecomputer SNB are loaded onto the SRA computer.

To install the operating system “Windows NT”, a self-extractinginstallation program is transferred onto the hard drive HD of the rastercomputer SRA in the base directory “C:\”. Controlled by the installationbatch program, the system files are then extracted and installed. Datafor operating system setup are also thereby transferred.

Subsequently, in step S15—that is typically implemented directly fromstep S10, when the hard drive is not to be newly formatted—allprinter-specific device control programs (functional codes) are loadedby the service maintenance computer SNB onto the raster process computerSRA. This transfer is also batch-controlled such that the entire methodsequence can be implemented completely automatically with minimal userinteraction.

It is clear using FIGS. 4 and 5 how simple the operation of a serviceprogram is when the control of a plurality of complex work sequences andconnection acceptances is implemented fully automatically. In an inputwindow F1, the user of the service software on the service computer SNWis called on to select a start of an installation event via a selectionbutton B1, to load user documentation B2, or to end the program via pushbutton B3. When the push button B1 is pressed, window 2 (FIG. 5)appears, in which various printer types can be selected, for exampleprinters for continuous recording media via push button B4 or printersfor individual pages via push button B5. By calling the correspondingprinter type, type-specific aggregate control programs can be loaded inthe printer control.

With the pushbutton B6, the hard drive of the raster process computerSRA can be reorganized, meaning alternatively to reorganize the storageorganization, to exchange a hard drive and/or to install new systemfiles (operating system and/or functional code). Given selection of thepushbutton P6, a further specification/selection of desiredconfiguration options (processable print data streams, type of theraster processor, version maintenance for software) is subsequentlynecessary. The processes corresponding to the selection and FIG. 4 aresubsequently controlled automatically and via batch programs.

With pushbutton B7, a virus protection program is installed on aconnected PC independent of the other sequences.

A dialog window is F3 is shown in FIG. 6 with which path names and filenames of selected installation files are shown that are displayed afterthe selection of the pushbutton B6 in FIG. 5. In FIG. 3, thiscorresponds to the step S1. By activating the pushbutton B8 “Start” fromthis menu, some security queries are started in order to make sure thatthe user actually wants to install a new operating system, and therewithall data stored on the hard drive of the SRA computer may be lost. Theboot event designated in FIG. 3 with S4 is then started, and displaywindow F4 displays FIG. 7 on the service computer SNB. The rasterprocess computer is thereby booted in a known manner (with storage testevents, etc.), and subsequently the point-to-point connection is formedbetween service computer SNB and raster process computer SRA. Theconnection acceptance is protocolled and traceable by the operator usingthe queries M1 displayed in the window F4.

The system and/or method is in particular suitable to be realized as acomputer program (software). It can therewith be spread as a computerprogram module as a file on a data medium such as a diskette or CD-ROM,or as a file via a data network or, respectively, communication network.Such comparable computer program products or computer program elementsare embodiments of the invention. The sequence can be applied in acomputer, in a printing device, or in a printing system with precedingor subsequent data processing devices. It is thereby clear thatcorresponding computers on which the system and/or method is applied cancomprise known technical devices such as input means (keyboard, mouse,touchscreen), a microprocessor, a data bus or, respectively, controlbus, a display device (monitor, display) as well as a working storage, afixed disk storage, and a network card.

While a preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described indetail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it beingunderstood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the invention both now or in the future are desired to beprotected.

1. A method for maintenance of a printing or copying system, comprisingthe steps of: providing at least two system computers comprising acentral device control computer that activates a plurality of aggregatesand a raster process computer connected with the device controlcomputer, and a print data network connection for incoming print data orcopy data to be rastered connected to said raster process computer, saidraster process computer also being a service connection computer thatcomprises a maintenance data connection which is separate from saidprint data network connection; connecting a maintenance computer to themaintenance data connection; turning on the service connection computer;establishing a network connection between the service connectioncomputer and the maintenance computer via which at least a minimal dataexchange is possible; testing the network connection as to whetheroperating system data are available at the network connection, and ifsuch data are available, loading said operating system data from themaintenance computer through the network connection into the serviceconnection computer before testing of a hard drive connection betweensaid service connection computer and a hard drive in the printing orcopying system; and loading control programs from the maintenancecomputer onto the service connection computer via the networkconnection.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the testingoccurs via a basic input/output system.
 3. The method according to claim1 wherein the test for the network connection is selected with at leastone of a mechanical, electronic and software-controlled switch providedat the service connection computer.
 4. The method according to claim 1wherein it is automatically tested with the maintenance computer whethera predetermined component resides in a predetermined state.
 5. Themethod according to claim 4 wherein depending on a test result of theraster process computer, at least one of the predetermined component andcontrol programs for the predetermined component is newly set up withpredetermined computer standard control programs that are available onthe maintenance computer.
 6. The method according to claim 5 wherein thepredetermined component comprises a hard disc, and wherein it is testedwhether the hard drive is formatted.
 7. The method according to claim 6wherein the hard drive is at least one of newly formatted and newlypartitioned.
 8. The method according to claim 1 wherein a mobilecomputer is used as the maintenance computer.
 9. The method according toclaim 1 wherein the network connection established between themaintenance computer and the service connection computer is formed as apoint-to-point connection.
 10. The method according to claim 1 whereinthe connection between the maintenance computer and the serviceconnection computer is formed via a remote data connection.
 11. Themethod according to claim 10 wherein a turning on of the serviceconnection computer by remote control is controlled via the remote dataconnection.
 12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the controlprograms are designed as standard programs.
 13. The method according toclaim 1 wherein the control programs comprise specific, predefinedconfiguration data adapted for a printing device.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the control programs comprise operatingsystem data that are limited to a data size fitting a printer.
 15. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein the control programs comprise printsystem-specific device control programs.
 16. The method according toclaim 1 wherein the system computers are connected with one another viaat least one device control line.
 17. The method according to claim 1wherein within the printing or copying system a control panel computeris additionally provided.
 18. The method according to claim 1 wherein toturn on the printing or copying system, the system computers are turnedon in a predetermined sequence, and a subsequent system computer isfirst turned on when a previously activated system computer resides in apredetermined active state.
 19. The method according to claim 1 whereinthe system computers are all situated within a common housing of theprinting or copying system.
 20. An electronic control system formaintenance of a printing or copying system, comprising: at least twosystem computers comprising a central device control computer thatactivates a plurality of aggregates and a raster process computerconnected with the device control computer, and a print data networkconnection for incoming print data or copy data to be rastered connectedto said raster process computer, said raster process computer also beinga service connection computer that comprises a maintenance dataconnection which is separate from said print data network connection; amaintenance computer connected to said maintenance data connection; saidmaintenance computer establishing a network connection between theservice connection computer and the maintenance computer via which atleast a minimal data exchange is possible; a hard disk drive in theprinting or copying system; said maintenance computer testing thenetwork connection as to whether operating system data are available atthe network connection, and if such data are available, loading saidoperating system data from the maintenance computer through the networkconnection into the service connection computer before testing of thehard drive connection between said service connection computer and saidhard disk drive; and said maintenance computer loading control programsonto the service connection computer via the network connection.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20 wherein the maintenance computer comprises a mobilecomputer.
 22. The system according to claim 20 wherein the connectionbetween the maintenance computer and the service connection computer isformed via a remote data connection.
 23. The system according to claim20 wherein the control programs are designed as standard programs. 24.The system according to claim 20 wherein the control programs comprisespecific, predefined configuration data adapted for a printing device.25. The system according to claim 20 wherein the control programscomprise operating system data that are limited to a data size fitting aprinter.
 26. The system according to claim 20 wherein the controlprograms comprise print system-specific device control programs.
 27. Thesystem according to claim 20 wherein the system computers are connectedwith one another via at least one device control line.
 28. The systemaccording to claim 20 wherein in the printing or copying system acontrol panel computer is additionally provided.
 29. The systemaccording to claim 20 wherein the system computers are situated within acommon housing of the printing or copying system.